Beware these free tools – they may be hiding ransomware • Blisstech Solutions

Ever needed to convert a file quickly, say, from a Word doc to a PDF? And found yourself Googling for a free tool to do it?

It seems harmless enough, right?

A quick download, a fast conversion, job done.

But what if I told you that one small click could secretly open the door to ransomware or data theft?

That’s precisely what the FBI is warning about right now. Yes, the FBI.

A file converter does exactly what it says. It converts a file from one format to another. Perhaps you’ve a PowerPoint presentation that needs to be converted into a PDF for a client. Or you’ve got a bunch of images you want to bundle into a single document.

These tools are often free and effective. But that’s where the danger lies because some of them come with strings attached.

Cybercriminals are using some of these free converters as a cover for more sinister activities. While the tool does what it promises, behind the scenes, it may also be installing something nasty on your system, such as malware or even ransomware.

What does that mean?

Malware is MALicious softWARE. It’s designed to do something harmful without your permission. It may steal your data, spy on your activity, or corrupt your files.

Ransomware is one of the worst types of malware. It locks your files so you can’t access them, then demands a payment (usually in cryptocurrency) to unlock them. It’s like someone sneaking into your office overnight, putting all your important documents in a safe, and then charging you to get the key.

Worse still, these tools can also scan the files you upload and scrape them for sensitive information. That could be things like your passwords, banking details, or even personal data. If you’ve ever uploaded something with a customer list, an invoice, or employee details, that’s the kind of gold cyber criminals are after.

The problem is that these tools often look perfectly legitimate. And they do what they say on the tin, which makes them hard to spot. That’s why it’s so important to be cautious.

If your business needs quick file conversions, it’s far safer to use trusted, professional tools. The kind that come from known software providers, not random websites you find in a pinch.

Knowing how these scams work is your first line of defence. So, if you or your team ever use online tools like this, it’s worth reviewing where they come from… and whether they’re putting your business at risk.

Need help setting up safe, secure software alternatives for your team? We can do that – get in touch.

More Content

Bonus Guide: The Crowdstrike Outage Explained

Download our free guide summarising everything you need to know about the recent Crowdstrike outage. This is written specifically for business owners and managers. Inside, you’ll discover: What CrowdStrike is What happened on Friday 19th July 2024 The impact of the...
How to use footnotes and endnotes in Word

Tech Tip: How to use footnotes and endnotes in Word

This Tech Tip is another tip for Microsoft Word. If you use Word to write documentation, contracts or any other type of detailed document, then this tip is for you. Usually, when you write such a document, you may need to expand on certain sentences without making the...
Lost for words? Draft with Copilot can help

Lost for words? Draft with Copilot can help

If you struggle to find the right words in an email or post, you’d probably love a little help. Draft with Copilot is exactly that. Here we tell you how it works.

Uh oh! You’re at greater risk of malware than ever before

Uh oh! You’re at greater risk of malware than ever before

Small and medium-sized businesses are at more risk of a malware attack than ever. It’s time to take action to protect your business. Here we tell you how.

An AI-charged blast from the past

An AI-charged blast from the past

Microsoft Paint is all grown up, and it’s making a supercharged comeback thanks to AI. We have all the details

Is working from home really good for your business?

Working from home. Or remote working, as it’s now called. It’s the big thing in business, isn’t it? And some people love it. They’re happier working where they want, and when they want. And that makes them more productive and less likely to leave. But have you stopped...
Child working at a laptop

Donated Laptops for Lockdown Learning

A Digital Divide It is a shocking fact that 9% of children in the UK, between 1.1 and 1.8 million, do not have a computer, laptop or mobile device in their home, according to research carried out by Ofcom. This pandemic is shining a stark light on the gap in provision...

Why you will not be fine on this Cloud9

Fake Flash messages are being used as a cover for a new ‘botnet’ campaign. If you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge you could be a target.

How Copilot Wave 2 can boost your business

Imagine how different your business would be without Microsoft 365’s suite of apps and tools. It’s a business essential that makes everything easier. Now imagine these apps and tools could do more. Imagine they could summarise reports, documents, and meetings. Or...
Microsoft: Criminals can access your accounts without your password

Microsoft: Criminals can access your accounts without your password

Just when you think you’ve got cyber security sorted for your business, a new scam comes along. This time, cyber criminals don’t even need to trick you out of your password to access your accounts… they can fool you with something called a “device code”.

Share This
Contact
Love Lane
Cleobury Mortimer
Shropshire DY14 8PE

01299 382 321
[email protected]
Copyright © 2024 Blisstech Solution Ltd
Registered No: 08125391 VAT No : 307 5490 05